The Australian international made her debut for the Club in Tuesday night’s Champions League draw at Real Madrid, introduced from the bench for the final half an hour.
Signed from Everton as Gareth Taylor’s fourth summer recruit, the winger has the chance to make her first league appearance in sky blue against her former Club on Saturday – a factor she says provides an ‘extra motivation.’
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Having helped the Toffees to the 2019/20 Women’s FA Cup Final and a fifth-place league finish, the 26-year-old is very familiar with this weekend’s opponents, who feature former City stars Toni Duggan, Izzy Christiansen and Claire Emslie.
“I’m really looking forward to playing against Everton in the first game,” she said. “It will be a bit of extra motivation for me.
“They’ve recruited well and in the WSL, every team you come up against is a challenge.
“With it being the first game of the season, everybody will be still finding their feet for both teams.
“We’re all really looking forward to the season starting.”
Reflecting on her first weeks at the Club, Raso says she – and her fellow new recruits – are settling well into the squad, despite a tight turnaround following the Olympics.
“It’s been really good,” she said. “The girls are lovely, the facilities are amazing and I feel I’ve settled in really well.
“I’d heard a lot of great things about the Club and being here, I’ve seen it for myself. My first few days, I was little nervous but once I found my way around, it was a bit easier.
“With so many of us away at the Olympics, we haven’t had the pre-season other teams have had but that doesn’t change the desire or hunger.
“I’m really enjoying being back on the pitch, meeting the girls and playing alongside them.
“The new signings are great. It’s nice to have another Australian here alongside me in Alanna Kennedy, which I’m really excited about, and seeing the way Vicky Losada plays and trains (her standards are amazing) - and having quality players like that coming into the squad - is so good.
“I’d thought it was a bit too soon to have banter with the Team GB girls but Keira Walsh brought it up a few times and Alanna and I have given a bit back to her!
“Everyone has been great. I try to be pretty sociable, getting around and speaking to as many people as I can, and everyone has been really welcoming.
“We have a lot to prove and we want to go better than last season – that’s the goal.”
